Clark State Could Be First in Region to Offer Degree

Springfield, OH–Clark State Community College will roll out its first four-year baccalaureate degree in Manufacturing Technology Management.

Clark State President Dr. Jo Alice Blondin said the manufacturing workforce has reached new levels of technical expertise, and the manufacturing workforce needs a strong technical, collaboration and problem-solving skills in order to increase productivity and address complex issues.

“The manufacturing companies in Clark State’s service area of Clark, Greene, Champaign and Logan counties have asked Clark State to develop a better solution to this problem for many years,” said Blondin. “A Bachelor of Applied Science in Manufacturing Technology Management is the perfect solution to meet these needs.”

Blondin said the program will lead to management and supervisory careers at top employers in the region. “Since receiving a Department of Labor grant in 2014, Clark State has kept a laser-focus on training and manufacturing,” Blondin said. “This industry is the key to our region’s growth.”

Clark State went from training fewer than 20 students annually in 2013 to training nearly 300 students since the inception of the grant in 2014. Blondin also said the degree in Manufacturing Technology Management complements Clark State’s existing certificates and associate degrees. “It is the next logical pathway for our students,” she said.

Once the Governor signs the bill, the proposed degree program will then have to be approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission. Clark State wants to offer the degree beginning fall semester of 2018.

“Once approved, the degree will be awarded by Clark State,” said Dr. Amit Singh, provost andseniorvice president of academic affairs at Clark State. “Our current students who are on the engineering and manufacturing tracks can continue with us to obtain their four-year degree.”

Clark State is working with multiple industry partners, including Honda, McGregor Metalworking and Cascade to develop the curriculum.

The Applied Bachelor’s Degree in Manufacturing Technology Management will be the first four-year degree offered by Clark State. The College may add additional bachelor’s degree options in the future, as deemed needed and viable by the local community and industries.

“Workforce is in our mission,” said Blondin. “Workforce development is what we do every day. I can’t think of a better place to have the first Manufacturing Technology Management baccalaureate degree than right here in Clark, Greene, Champaign and Logan counties.”